Summary

The Wildlands Project is a far-reaching effort by scientists and activists to develop better ways of protecting nature, wilderness, and biodiversity. Its ultimate goal is to establish an effective network of nature reserves throughout North America-core conservation areas linked by corridors, and buffered, where appropriate, by lands that may also serve economic objectives.

Continental Conservation represents the work of thirty leading experts-including Michael Soulé, John Terborgh, Reed Noss, Paul Paquet, Dan Simberloff, Rodolfo Dirzo, J. Michael Scott, Andrew Dobson, and others-brought together by The Wildlands Project to examine the science underlying the design and management of these regional-scale networks. It provides conservationists and biologists with the latest scientific principles for protecting living nature at spatial scales that encompass entire regions and continents.

Following an opening chapter that sets the stage by introducing major themes and the scientific and policy background, the contributors:

consider scale in the identification, selection, and design of biological reserves

examine the role of top carnivores in regulating terrestrial ecosystems

suggest the need for a paradigm shift in the field of ecological restoration

consider the scientific details of implementing regional conservation in core areas, corridors, and in buffer zones

discuss the need for megareserves and how to design them

The book ends by challenging the reader, whether scientist or advocate, to commit more time to the effort of saving nature. The authors argue that the very survival of nature is at stake, and scientists can no longer afford to stand behind a wall of austere objectivity.

Continental Conservation is an important guidebook that can serve a vital role in helping fashion a radically honest, scientifically rigorous land-use agenda. It will be required reading for scientists and professionals at all levels involved with ecosystem and land management.

Author Bio

Soulé, Michael E. :University of California-Santa Cruz

Michael E. Soulé is a past president and current science director of The Wildlands Project and professor emeritus at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Terborgh, John : Duke University

John Terborgh is James B. Duke Professor of Environmental Science and Botany and co-director of the Center for Tropical Conservation at Duke University, in Durham, North Carolina.

The Wildlands Project is a far-reaching effort by scientists and activists to develop better ways of protecting nature, wilderness, and biodiversity. Its ultimate goal is to establish an effective network of nature reserves throughout North America-core conservation areas linked by corridors, and buffered, where appropriate, by lands that may also serve economic objectives.

Continental Conservation represents the work of thirty leading experts-including Michael Soulé, John Terborgh, Reed Noss, Paul Paquet, Dan Simberloff, Rodolfo Dirzo, J. Michael Scott, Andrew Dobson, and others-brought together by The Wildlands Project to examine the science underlying the design and management of these regional-scale networks. It provides conservationists and biologists with the latest scientific principles for protecting living nature at spatial scales that encompass entire regions and continents.

Following an opening chapter that sets the stage by introducing major themes and the scientific and policy background, the contributors:

consider scale in the identification, selection, and design of biological reserves

examine the role of top carnivores in regulating terrestrial ecosystems

suggest the need for a paradigm shift in the field of ecological restoration

consider the scientific details of implementing regional conservation in core areas, corridors, and in buffer zones

discuss the need for megareserves and how to design them

The book ends by challenging the reader, whether scientist or advocate, to commit more time to the effort of saving nature. The authors argue that the very survival of nature is at stake, and scientists can no longer afford to stand behind a wall of austere objectivity.

Continental Conservation is an important guidebook that can serve a vital role in helping fashion a radically honest, scientifically rigorous land-use agenda. It will be required reading for scientists and professionals at all levels involved with ecosystem and land management.

Summary

The Wildlands Project is a far-reaching effort by scientists and activists to develop better ways of protecting nature, wilderness, and biodiversity. Its ultimate goal is to establish an effective network of nature reserves throughout North America-core conservation areas linked by corridors, and buffered, where appropriate, by lands that may also serve economic objectives.

Continental Conservation represents the work of thirty leading experts-including Michael Soulé, John Terborgh, Reed Noss, Paul Paquet, Dan Simberloff, Rodolfo Dirzo, J. Michael Scott, Andrew Dobson, and others-brought together by The Wildlands Project to examine the science underlying the design and management of these regional-scale networks. It provides conservationists and biologists with the latest scientific principles for protecting living nature at spatial scales that encompass entire regions and continents.

Following an opening chapter that sets the stage by introducing major themes and the scientific and policy background, the contributors:

consider scale in the identification, selection, and design of biological reserves

examine the role of top carnivores in regulating terrestrial ecosystems

suggest the need for a paradigm shift in the field of ecological restoration

consider the scientific details of implementing regional conservation in core areas, corridors, and in buffer zones

discuss the need for megareserves and how to design them

The book ends by challenging the reader, whether scientist or advocate, to commit more time to the effort of saving nature. The authors argue that the very survival of nature is at stake, and scientists can no longer afford to stand behind a wall of austere objectivity.

Continental Conservation is an important guidebook that can serve a vital role in helping fashion a radically honest, scientifically rigorous land-use agenda. It will be required reading for scientists and professionals at all levels involved with ecosystem and land management.

Author Bio

Soulé, Michael E. :University of California-Santa Cruz

Michael E. Soulé is a past president and current science director of The Wildlands Project and professor emeritus at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Terborgh, John : Duke University

John Terborgh is James B. Duke Professor of Environmental Science and Botany and co-director of the Center for Tropical Conservation at Duke University, in Durham, North Carolina.